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Gill: Ronaldo Staying, Full Stop

Saddavi — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:02:57 +0300

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has reinforced Sir Alex Ferguson's position on Cristiano Ronaldo by insisting that there is no chance of the Portuguese megastar leaving the club in the summer.
Real Madrid have been relentless in their pursuit of the 23-year-old, who has not exactly gone out of his way to discourage their advances.

Despite the uneasy feeling at Old Trafford, generated by the fact that the 42-goal man is yet to dismiss the possibility of a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, United's brass are at least outwardly supremely confident the incumbent PFA Player of the Year will remain in Manchester.

"Our position is clear. Sir Alex (Ferguson) and I stated it in the last week," Gill insisted.

"That's it. That's all we are going to say on the matter, full stop."

The United CEO also commented on the uncertainty surrounding the proposed purchase of Cardiff prodigy Aaron Ramsey, who has at least two other top sides hot on his heels.

"I am confident," was Gil's curt response when pressed on the status of the deal, which had seemed done and dusted at this time yesterday.

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Milan Set To Be Handed Champions League Place

Saddavi — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:41:50 +0300

he Rossoneri missed out on a place in Europe’s premier club competition after they only finished fifth in Serie A, following a hugely disappointing campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who have been the dominant side in the competition over the past six years, winning two editions, and reaching a final, semi-final and quarter-final, were gearing themselves to play in the UEFA Cup in 2008/09.

However the Diavoli could now be on the verge of being granted a sensational back-door entry back into the Champions League. Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia could be expelled from the competition due to financial problems, and indeed the Bulgarian FA has demanded that they be thrown out immediately.

Therefore a replacement would need to be found, and this would be Milan, as they are highest UEFA ranked team not already in the competition.

The Rossoneri would enter at the second preliminary round, and it would mean that Italy would have five teams in the Champions League, the others being Inter, Roma, Juventus and Fiorentina.

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Cassano Goes Berserk In Training

Saddavi — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:57:32 +0300

It hasn’t taken long for Antonio Cassano to demonstrate his temperamental side in Austria and Switzerland, after the Sampdoria man was involved in two unsavoury training ground incidents.
Cassano was the surprise inclusion in Roberto Donadoni’s 23-man squad for the Euros, as he was preferred to Milan hitman Pippo Inzaghi.

While few doubt the genius of the Sampdoria forward, many feel his presence is a huge risk given his volatile personality and that his bad boy ways could damage the unity in the camp.

These fears may start to be realised after Cassano went berserk during a training session in Austria. The 25-year-old reacted furiously to a fair tackle from defender Giorgio Chiellini, before then proceeding to aim a volley of obscenities at the Juve defender, who is still said to be deeply upset after the challenge on Tuesday that has ruled captain Fabio Cannavaro out of the tournament.

Cassano didn’t stop there, as just minutes later he threw himself into an X-rated tackle on another defender Andrea Barzagli. Fortunately the new Wolfsburg man escaped unhurt.

Coach Roberto Donadoni was forced to step in to calm an agitated Cassano down, but tempers continued to fray in the changing rooms after training, with many players angry with Cassano’s conduct.

While the incident is now said to be forgotten, the Bari-native’s behaviour is certainly a cause of concern at this difficult time following the massive injury loss of Cannavaro

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Ronaldo: I'll Leave By Next Year

Saddavi — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:52:15 +0300

The Portuguese superstar has been heavily linked with move to Real Madrid, who have been hounding for his signature over the last few months.

The 23-year-old is yet to dismiss the possibility of a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, although United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is confident the incumbent PFA Player of the Year will remain at Old Trafford.

But according to The Sun, the former Sporting Lisbon sensation and his agent Jorge Mendes are planning an exit strategy that would take effect next summer.

Ronaldo reportedly told his nearest and dearest: “If I don’t leave Manchester United now, I certainly will in a year.”

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Eme ban for 1 game

Saddavi — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:19:28 +0300

Emerson suspended for one Match

The Asian football federation disciplinary committee had assembled to issue a number of decisions including the suspension of Al Sadd' striker of Brazilian decent Emerson, and Caio of Saudi's Al Ahli for one match.

The suspension of Emerson came after him receiving two yellow cards in the previous match against Al Karama of Syria; it is worth mentioning that Al Sadd is set to meet Al Ahli in the next round of the competition which they both ere eliminated from.

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Sadd Champions again

Saddavi — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:00:22 +0300

Sadd

Teno's shot down Al-Gharrfa in a glorious final .

Al-Sadd knocked league champions Al-Gharrfa down and grabbed the glorious trophy of HH the Heir Apparent Cup in an unforgettable evening on Thursday.

Players were honored to receive the trophy from HH Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Heir Apparent.

Al-Sadd was all in all the better side in an delightful nigth that saw Al-Sadd fans chanting slogans of their beloved club.

Dr. Hassan Hurmatull's men were there to claim first title this season and fulfilled dreams of their fans by maintaining the 56th title which they raised last season.

Ecuadorian striker, Carlos Tenorio's perfect shot from inside the box put Al-Sadd in the lead, 10 minutes before the final whistle.

In the very first minute, Qatar's soccer giants was denied clear penalty when Teno was caught in the bosy from his left hands by rival defender, a meter from the Italian referee.

By winning the glorious title, Al-Sadd gave a consolation to the crowds following the loss of this season's league title.

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Al Rayyan finalize Roque Junior deal

Saddavi — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:34:29 +0300

New ladAl Rayyan is on the verge of signing former Brazilian international Roque Junior who is currently not tied with any club.

The former AC Milan defender, who is set to do the physical on Wednesday, will replace inconsistent striker Thiago who failed to adapt himself to the strict coaching approach conducted by Brazilian coach Paulo Auttori who nominated Junior for the vacancy in Al Rayyan's defensive line.

The experienced 31 year-old defender had appeared in 48 occasions wearing the Celeao golden shirt plus playing a major role in Brazil's 2002 world cup triumph

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Al-Sadd X Gharrafa The Final Tonight

Saddavi — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:54:51 +0300

The BoSshabetain

Al-Sadd senior football squad engaged in a training session ahead of the crucial HH Heir Apparent Cup final on Thursday against league champions Al-Gharrafa.

Al-Sadd posted two victories over the rival in the League while the third clash ended in a drwa.

The training led by Al-Sadd coach Dr. Hassan Hurmatulla in the absence of Khalfan Ibrahim, injured, Carlos Tenorio who has a flu.

Hurmatulla paused the training very often to address players mistakes amid high spirit among the ranks of the squad following their recent semi-final victory over Um-Salal.

Players seemed to be determined to maintain the cup title.

Salem Al-Ali, team manager the technical meeting resulted in Al-Sadd wearing full black dress. On Teno's absence from the conference, Al-Ali said the player suffered a bad flu.

Team star Emerson told the website both teams have so many things in common. "I guess the winning team is that one who would dominate the midfield zone.. al-Sadd is a club of trophies and I dont think we will leave such a prestigious cup slip out of our hands", he added

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Qatar Clubs Chase Egyptian Skipper Ahmed Hassan

Saddavi — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 08:31:50 +0300

The 32 year-old currently plies his trade with Belgian giants Anderlecht but the African Nations Cup hero could be on the move soon.

Al-Rayyan and Al-Sadd will face competition however.

“Hassan’s contract with Anderlecht is about to end this season and Al-Rayyan and Al-Sadd are challenging Zamalek and Al-Ahly of Cairo for his signature,” a source close to the player told Doha daily Al-Raya.

“Both Qatari clubs have posted bids of one million euros to lure Hassan services, as the player is adamant to end his European career with Anderlecht soon,” added the source.

Hassan said recently that he will not retire from the international game after steering his country to the African Cup of Nations early this month.

www.goal.com

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Capello's Strict New Regime Revealed

Saddavi — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:28:56 +0300

Fabio Capello has laid down the law to his players on his first day with England and made sure they know exactly who is boss. One thing is for sure: he doesn't want to be any of their best friends.

zoom - galleria Fans awaiting his team selection for Wednesday's game against Switzerland, but off the field new England manager Fabio Capello is already ringing the changes.

The Italian has introduced a strict new regime to keep the players in check and ensure discipline is retained.

Rules, Rules, Rules

As players assembled at the team hotel in Watford they were confronted with a noticeboard instructing them that lateness would never be tolerated, room service was out of bounds and mobile phones were not to be used outside of their bedrooms.

The Blazer Family

Capello is reportedly keen to fashion a well-drilled unit off the pitch in the hope that it breeds structure and discipline on it.

Players must now always eat together in smart dress, and have been told to always wear team blazers in public when on duty with England.

No More JT

Like predecessor McClaren, Capello has kept a strict no-WAGS or agents policy. But McClaren's oft-criticised habit of referring to 'JT' and 'Stevie G' is definitely out - all players will now be called by their surnames.

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand commented: “He calls me and a lot of the other players by our surnames. His coaching staff call us by surname as well. That’s the way it is.

"The (Beckham) decision proved there is no sentiment about the boss," added the defender. "Nine out of 10 others would probably have picked him but this manager has made his decision and it’s not our place to question that or react to it.

"We’re not here to worry about anyone else’s feelings. We’re here to be part of a successful team. It’s his job to pick the squad and if we’re going to be successful we will live or die by his decisions.”

Gerrard: Capello's Not Our Friend

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard added: "Fabio is keeping us all on our toes. As long as there is a big respect between the manager and his players, I don’t think it’s important he’s not close to us. It’s not about enjoying yourself with the manager, it’s about seriousness and getting results in an England shirt.”

Goal.com UK

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